Marty Walsh on Environment

More programs in parks and green spaces

Marty Walsh recognizes the powerful role that parks and green spaces play in a safe, healthy, and thriving city. Sports and cultural programming in parks is at the heart of lively communities and neighborhoods. Green spaces also provide immeasurable
benefits to Boston residents because they assist in maintaining public health, public safety, community-building, & economic strength. Expanding and enriching programming within green spaces to engage more Bostonians in civic life would be a top priority

Voted YES on requiring dental amalgam (mercury) separators

Gov. Romney vetoed a budget line item ("Section 41") which would require the use of advanced
filtration technology, certified amalgam separators at each dental office in Massachusetts, and would empower the department of environmental protection to enforce this (because dental amalgam contains high levels of mercury).
The House vote was to override the governor's veto. A yes vote would override the veto and impose the requirement. A no vote would sustain the veto and not require separating out the mercury.

Relevant platform section: Toxics Use Reductions:
We strongly support the state's Toxics Use Reduction Law...while encouraging reduced use of environmentally hazardous materials.

Supported keeping park maintenance funding within MDC

Vote on overriding the governor's veto of the following section: The division of urban
parks and recreation in the department of conservation and recreation shall assume the sole responsibility for the delivery and the performance of services for all maintenance and repair work, including snow and ice control, for the roads and bridges
previously under the control of the Metropolitan District Commission. No MDC assets or services may be transferred either in whole or in part to any other agency, without the express prior approval of the general court.

Relevant platform section: "We
believe in the value of public parks and beaches in our Commonwealth that are clean, safe, well maintained, and which offer a wide range of recreational choices."

Voted YES on reduced fees for blood lead level testing

Override Gov. Romney's veto of exception of fees charged for the testing of blood
lead levels (fees charged by the division of occupational safety). The fees would be limited based on the fees in 2002.

Relevant budget section: SECTION 631. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary and with the exception of fees
charged for the testing of blood lead levels, fees charged by the division of occupational safety... shall be set at a rate not less than twice the rate charged on July 1, 2002.".

Relevant platform section: PART VIII: "We believe state and federal
regulatory agencies should pay especially close attention to pollutants that have a direct impact on our families' health, with a particular emphasis on regulating mercury, arsenic, pesticides, & lead."